Cirrus SR22 Crash: The 4-Minute ADS-B Mystery Solved | NTSB Preliminary Report of N218VB

This video is our first-takes follow-up to the September 18th, 2025 fatal crash of Cirrus SR22 N218VB near Macon County Airport (Franklin, NC). The NTSB preliminary report, released October 16, 2025, cites loss of control in flight during a visual approach to Runway 7 under calm winds and clear skies. However, the report leaves a critical four minute gap in the ADS-B flight data and we’ve filled that gap using additional FlightAware receiver data from 38 miles south of the airport. This deeper analysis reveals what may have happened in those final minutes, suggesting a possible second landing attempt and unstable approach that ended tragically. In this video: ✈️ We break down the NTSB preliminary findings. 🛰️ Examine missing ADS-B and FlightAware data correlations. 🎯 Reconstruct the final approach and pattern flown by N218VB. ⚙️ Discuss pilot decision-making and unstable approach recovery options. 📹 Review eyewitness and surveillance video accounts. Key Takeaways: The approach was high, fast, and steep, missing stable approach criteria. Sparse ADS-B coverage due to surrounding terrain masked critical data. FlightAware data suggests an overflight and tight left pattern for a second landing attempt. Witnesses observed the aircraft rolling left and descending rapidly, consistent with a stall. 🕯️ Our condolences go out to Brett James and his passengers, whose loss reminds us of the importance of recurrent training and stable approach discipline. 🔗 Resources & Links Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association (COPA) https://www.cirruspilots.org Cirrus Embark Training Program www.cirrusaircraft.com/embark NTSB Preliminary Report Database https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/P... 📍 Join the COPA Community Subscribe to @CirrusPilots for more Cirrus training videos, COPA University sessions, and other content from the Cirrus Owners and Pilots Association. 📍 To become a better, safer pilot consider joining COPA https://www.cirruspilots.org 📍 For a one stop shop all the most critical Cirrus-related resources, check out https://copa.fyi 📍 For information about Cirrus Embark training: https://cirrusaircraft.com/embark/ #CirrusSR22 #N218VB #NTSBReport #AviationSafety #FlightAnalysis #CirrusAccident #GeneralAviation #LossOfControl #ADSBBreakdown #FlightAwareData #PilotTraining #FirstTakes #COPA #CirrusPilots #BrettJames #GoAround #AviationInvestigation